Forest Dunes Lake Dam dam
Forest Dunes Lake Dam
Forest Dunes Lake Dam, located in Mio, Michigan, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1999, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 25.3 feet and has a storage capacity of 370 acre-feet. It is situated on an unnamed tributary to Thayer Creek, with a drainage area of 1 square mile.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 2 feet, and it has a low hazard potential with a satisfactory condition assessment. Despite being regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE), the dam has not been modified in recent years and is regularly inspected every 5 years. The risk assessment for Forest Dunes Lake Dam is moderate, indicating potential risks that are being managed to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the environment. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find this dam an interesting site to study and monitor for its impact on the local ecosystem and water resources.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Forest Dunes Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 347 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River At Mio | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Mc Kinley | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Curtisville | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Clam River At Vogel Center | 263 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forest Dunes Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Chase Bridge Road 10199, South Branch Township
- Bright Glory Lane Grayling Charter Township
- Houghton Creek Road Foster Township
- Briggs Road Otsego Lake Township
- Legend Drive Otsego Lake Township
- North Roberts Road Maple Forest Township
Campgrounds
- Wakeley Lake Area
- Kneff Lake Campground
- 4-Mile Trail Camp
- White Pine Canoe Camp
- Keystone Landing State Forest Campground
- Burton's Landing State Forest Campground
Track Forest Dunes Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Forest Dunes Lake Dam
Where does the data for Forest Dunes Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Forest Dunes Lake Dam.